GOOD NEWS FROM THE STREETS OF SANTO DOMINGO

[July 2nd] -- The Nationals announced on Sunday that they have signed someone that none of us have ever heard of, paid him a $1.4 million dollar signing bonus, and I couldn't be happier.

Bill Ladson is reporting over at the team's official website that Dominican Esmailyn "Smiley" Gonzalez has signed with the team. Because he just 16, he won't be able to begin playing in the Nationals' organization until next year, after he turns 17.

GM Jim Bowden is suggesting that the youngster very well might begin his professional career somewhere above the Gulf Coast League's "rookie" level.

The team is comparing his glove to that of Ozzie Smith and his bat, once he matures, could be similar to Miguel Tejada's. That seems more praise than a 16 year old deserves, but considering that all of Ryan Zimmerman's praise turned out to be reality, I'm not going to question it just because it sounds too good to be true.

But none of that is important. Sure, it'd be nice if the kid turns out to be a Smith/Tejada clone as the team is suggesting, but more of those "can't miss" kids turn out to be car salesmen or managers of sporting good stores than hall-of-famers. What is important, however, is the fact that the Washington Nationals, once the cheapest team in the Major Leagues, just spent $1.4 million dollars (the same amount paid to first round pick Colton Willems) on a player with the knowledge that, even if he does make the team one day, it won't be for another five or six years. Further, several other teams were after him (including the Yankees) and he chose to sign with Washington.

It's a big step forward for the club. Stan Kasten promised us two things. One, he wasn't going to dabble in free agency for the forseeable future, and two, that money the team would have paid to those free agents would be pumped into the farm system. Thus far, he's been true to his word. In the past couple of weeks, the Nationals have paid nearly $5 million dollars to three young baseball players, none of whom will help the team for many years. The Nationals are indeed building for the future.

When I was a Braves fan (Dale Murphy was a member of my church so I rooted for Atlanta from the early 80's until 2004), I got such a kick watching the team's young players blossom with the Braves. Chipper Jones' rookie year was good, but Ryan Zimmerman is on pace to have a much better one. Just a day or two after being called up from Richmond, Ryan Klesko hit a home run in the 9th inning that bounced off the top of the left field wall and over the fence for a game winning home run. Javy Lopez was the first "real" catcher the Braves had in all the years I watched the team. Andruw Jones, Marcus Giles, Johnny Estrada, David Justice, Adam LaRoche, Ryan Langerhans, Jeff Francoeur, and many others, at first turned the Braves into winners, and then kept them there. Some, like John Smoltz and Estrada, came from other organizations. Others were Braves born-and-bread. Wouldn't it be great if the Nationals were able to bring up as many players as they needed from the minors to help solidify the major league roster? Slowly, it's starting to happen.

Today, Larry Broadway and Kory Casto seem like sure things. There are few others who "could" make a difference at some point, but most of the team's minor league system is "filler," guys wearing uniforms because one of the rules in baseball is that you have to field nine players at a time.

Help's on the way. Thank goodness.

NATIONALS BEAT TAMPA BAY 6-2: It was a nice Sunday afternoon at RFK Stadium as the Washington Nationals did what was expected; beat a team that they should have beat (though to be sure they some fine players on their team). Ramon Ortiz pitched very well again, allowing just four hits and one run in seven strong innings. He also struck out four. With each solid outing, Ortiz increases the chances of his being dealt before the July 31st deadline. I think he'd be a great 5th starter for a team trying to win a pennant. Ryan Zimmerman continues to make that 1-27 slump a distant memory. Zimmerman hit a line-drive home run that reminded me a lot of Frank Howard's homers, never getting very high and able to take someone's head off if they didn't get out of the way. Jose Guillen got two more hits as well, and may get hot enough to allow the Nationals to get some decent offers for him before the trade deadline at the end of the month.

I'm with you 100%. This signing is more important to me than bringing an established free-agent on board. The free-agent signing is a "one time" deal, while signing these kids indicates the team has for sure moved in a new direction.

Rasner Rocks For Yanks

What was it that Jim Bowden said when he lost Darrell Rasner to the Yankees through waivers last winter? Wasn't it something like, "C'mon, it wasn't like he was going to make an impact at the major league level?" Well Jimbo, it seems like some of your "minor" transactions are coming back to haunt you.

Rasner, a 6'3" righty from Carson City, Nevada, was waived February 11th by the Nationals, just a couple of weeks before the start of spring training. He was picked up and assigned to 'AAA' Columbus. He had some injuries this year, but it didn't effect his pitching. In 58 innings for the Clippers, Rasner went 4-0, 2.76. But wait. There's more.

Pitching on Sunday against the Twins, Rasner pitched 6 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. In two starts, he's now 1-0, 1.17.

What do you always like to say, Jim, something about "You can never have enough pitching?" Let's see, you waived Rasner, and he's starting for the Yankees. You waived Claudio Vargas, and he's starting for the Diamondbacks. You waived Byung Young Kim, and he's starting for the Rockies. You traded Tomo Ohka for a guy no longer in the major leagues, and
he's starting for the Brewers.

Jim, if I were you, I'd stay away from the waiver wire. Seems like you haven't figured it that it's supposed to help the team, not hurt it.

About your humble host

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I am a 49 year old father of six. Born in Beirut Lebanon, I have lived in dozens of countries world-wide and ten states here in America. Although I was born in the Middle East, I consider Washington, D.C. my home town. I have lived in Pocatello Idaho since 1991. Although D.C. is a great place to enjoy life, Idaho is a great place to raise your children. My kids have benefited from the safe surroundings and quality education we have here.

Two of my six children were born with serious physical and mental handicaps, which has made my life anything but normal [don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have had it any other way]. Kendi died two years ago at the age of 20 due to a nurse's error during a routine medical procedure. I miss her so very much.

After 30 years in the business world, I have gone back to school to get my teaching degree. I am currently a junior at Idaho State University in Pocatello.

My wife Tracey and I have been happily married for 26 years. She is more than special; she is that which makes my life worth living. Without her, I'd be nothing.

I am a religious conservative, but I don't believe that my views are absolute or absolutely right. I come from a land where diverse opinions were silenced, so America's diversity of thought makes it a very special place for me.

I am a lucky man. My wife loves and respects me, and all of my children treat their father better than I treated mine.

I couldn't ask for any more.

My home town: Pocatello Idaho

Pocatello is a city of 50,000 nestled in Southeastern Idaho. Home of Idaho State University, Pocatello was founded as a railroad town in the late 1800's. Today, it is an inexpensive, safe, family-friendly place to live.

My Wife Tracey

Tracey & I have been married for 26 years. Her father was in the Air Force, and she spent much of her childhood years in foreign lands around the world. Tracey is a talented artist. She has won several blue ribbons for her porcelain dolls

Kira And Aaron

Kira and Aaron were married in 2003. She recieved her second degree from Idaho State University and works with special needs children. Aaron attends ISU and works at UPS.

Kendi

Kendi was born with severe physical and mental handicaps. Even at the age of 20, she wore a diaper, and had to be fed by her mother or I. She spent her life in a wheelchair, but that didn't stop her from enjoying every moment she was on the earth. She died in 2003 due to a nurse's mistake during a routine medical procedure. I miss her so much

Kristen And Mark

Kristen & Mark were Married in August, 2005. Kristen will receive her 2nd degree from BYU-Idaho in December in construction management. Mark has recently returned from an LDS church mission and will begin attending college full-time next spring

Kourtney

Kourtney will graduate from high school next spring. She has already taken several college classes. She has wanted to be a mortician since she was 12

Katie

Katie was born with the same genetic disorder as her sister Kendi, though not as severe. Katie is able to walk, even run. She cannot talk but has learned a 100 word sign vocabulary. She loves to go for long walks [I push her in a special stroller] around the neighborhood

Korth

Korth loves all sports, but excels in baseball. He has been on post-season all star teams each year he has played. He spends a great deal of time playing with his handicapped sister so that she always has something "fun" to do

Big Changes, Little Names

Big happenings? Nah. Just happenings. Zach Day was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies and Capitol Punishment is reporting that the Nats have claimed him off the waiver wire. So we ended up getting Preston Wilson for nothing. That's nice. Billy Traber, he of the tight leash,
was sent down to New Orleans and replaced by Mike O'Connor.

That's all well and good, but don't look to any of these moves making a difference in the play of the team. But hey, it's something to talk about. Right?